While hybrid vehicles have become increasingly common, many people are still unclear about the different types available on the market. This article will explore the four main Types Of Hybrid Cars, detailing their unique characteristics and how they operate.
Mild Hybrids
Mild hybrid systems represent a recent advancement in hybrid technology. As the name suggests, mild hybrids are not designed to power the vehicle solely on electricity. Instead, they function to support the gasoline engine, particularly during acceleration from a standstill. They also alleviate the strain on the gasoline engine by powering auxiliary systems like air conditioning. Typically operating with 48-volt electrical systems, mild hybrids do not require external charging. Their batteries are replenished through a combination of the gasoline engine’s power and regenerative braking, a process that recovers energy during deceleration.
Mild hybrid systems are marketed under various names, including eAssist (General Motors), eTorque (Fiat/Chrysler), and EQ Boost (Mercedes).
Full Hybrids
Similar to mild hybrids, full hybrids are equipped with both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. However, the electric component in a full hybrid is significantly more powerful and capable of handling a greater portion of the vehicle’s workload. Many full hybrids can operate on electric power alone for a certain distance, especially at lower speeds typical of city driving. This electric-only capability often results in a higher City MPG rating compared to the Highway MPG rating – the opposite of conventional gasoline vehicles.
Full hybrid vehicles utilize two primary powertrain configurations: Parallel hybrids and Series hybrids.
In Parallel hybrids, the vehicle can be propelled in three ways: directly by the gasoline engine, solely by the electric motor, or by a combination of both systems working in tandem.
Series hybrids, on the other hand, rely exclusively on the electric motor to drive the wheels. The gasoline engine in a series hybrid acts as a generator, providing power to the electric motor but never directly powering the wheels.
Modern hybrid technology has led to the development of “series-parallel” hybrids. These systems intelligently blend the two approaches, with an onboard computer dynamically selecting the most efficient operating mode based on driving conditions.
Full hybrids, like mild hybrids, recharge their battery systems through energy generated by the gasoline engine and regenerative braking.
Plug-In Hybrids
The hybrid types discussed so far all rely on internal mechanisms for battery charging. Plug-in hybrids differ significantly in that they can be charged from external power sources in addition to internal charging methods. This capability allows plug-in hybrids to achieve a greater electric-only driving range compared to full hybrids. Plug-in hybrids essentially bridge the gap between full hybrid vehicles and fully electric vehicles.
Electric Vehicles with Range Extender Hybrids
While purely electric vehicles are not technically hybrids, some models incorporate a small gasoline engine to extend their driving range when needed. When an all-electric vehicle’s battery is depleted, it requires charging before it can operate again. Range extender hybrids address this limitation by using their gasoline engine to either recharge the battery or directly power the electric motor, preventing the driver from being stranded. The range extension provided by the gasoline engine can vary from a few dozen miles to several hundred, depending on the engine’s size and configuration.
